3 minute read
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Hong Kong
How many partners and lawyers does your firm have?
Hong Kong - Partners: 21, other fee earners: 89
How many clerks are you intending to take on this summer?
June-July: 16, January: 8
How many graduate lawyers did you take on this year?
6-8 trainees peryear
How does your firm embody the notions of social and corporate responsibility?
Responsible business sits at the heart of our firm. It aligns our diversity and inclusion aspirations with our pro bono work, community investment programmes, and environmental and human rights commitments.
We consider responsible business at every decision point, from client advice and mandate acceptance to the impact we choose to make on the society and environment around us.
Everybody in the firm is encouraged to do some pro bono work, which spans all our legal practice areas. We work for a wide range of pro bono clients from individual victims of trafficking to some of the world’s largest NGOs. Last year, our trainees were involved in over 200 pro bono projects.
How does your firm strive to protect its junior lawyers’ work-life balance?
We recognise that there will be circumstances where alternative working arrangements may be beneficial to our colleagues and the firm, and we will seek to accommodate these arrangements where possible. Our agile working policy offers our colleagues the opportunity to flex their work location or timing on an ad hoc basis. We believe it can enable a better work-life flexibility and optimise productivity. Most law firms offer four seats of six months each. At Freshfields, our trainees benefit from a much broader experience. The firm wants your training to be as broad as possible. You will spend six months in corporate, three months in finance, three months in dispute resolution and three months in either antitrust, competition and trade or IP/IT. You will also do a six month seat in London and three months seat in either Shanghai or Beijing.
Does your firm offer any opportunities to work overseas?
Freshfields helps clients cross borders with confidence – you’ll learn to do the same. You will have the opportunity to go on a secondment in our extensive global network of offices (including six months in London and three months in Shanghai or Beijing). You can also apply for a client secondment after your qualification.
What makes your firm’s culture unique?
As our statement of who we are declares, “our people make our firm”. That means you’ll be valued and treated with respect, consideration and courtesy.
We see diversity as strength and value fresh perspectives, creative ideas and connections. That means we want you to bring your best self to work. Of course, you can expect a heavy workload, but we try to play as hard as we work so we’ll encourage you be a rounded person with other interests.
No single person can take on the work we do alone. That’s why we have a ‘one-firm mindset’, encouraging and sharing in the success of all our colleagues. Our training and support are designed to help you be the best lawyer – and person – you can be.
You’ll need to be creative and innovative to solve the world’s most difficult problems. And you’ll have to be able to explain your ideas clearly and simply.
Lastly, we want you to make a positive contribution to the world around us through our many pro bono and responsible working initiatives.
is what you make of it
